The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-08-18
WHOLE NO. l75
What Is the Matter with the Re.
pubIica Party?

cans to face the surplus and provide
measures for its immediate reduction
is evidence Of fatal weakness. 1t is
the most CONSPICUOUS question of the
hour, and will be at the front in the
coming Presidential campaign. And
yet the republicans are unwilling to
commit themselves to even a serious
consideration of it.
This is mistake from any point of
view. 1t is unpatriotic, because the
welfare of the country and its business
interests are likely to be blocked in
the near future by useless and corrupt
ing millions in the Treasusy. 1t is
bad politics, because party which
lodges the responsibility of a popular
demand of this kind will certainly be
sent to the rear until it has convictions
and the courage to stand by them.
At the Toledo Convention the re-
publicans had their opportunity, but
they missed it. The democrats at
Cleveland, on the other hand, saw the
Importance Of taking the matter in
hand, and they got good grip on it
when they declared that
We demand such judicious reduc-
ton of the present burdensome tariff
as shall result in producing a revenue
sufficient only to meet the expenses of
an economical administration OF the
government, the payment Of liberal
pensions to Union soldiers and sailors
and the payment OF the interest and
principal Of the public debt.
This is square toed utterance, and
when you wish to put your finger on
the democratic policy you will find it
right there. "No surplus" is its motto,
which is approved by every business
man who knows that the safety of the
Republic consists largely in keeping
The government poor, and that one of
the greatest dangers that can ever
threaten the Republic is surplus
which will breed jobs and deals and
political corruption as dead mule
breeds lraggots When the govern
ment wants money let it ask for it. If
we approve the project we give the
cash if we do not approve we keep
the cash in our pockets. So the peo-
pie control the situation, not the gov
ernment, and not Congress. But
bursting vaults-we want none of
: them. They are a constant and in
time would become an irresistible
temptation. That is clean handed
democratic doctrine, and it will hold
its own in every part Of the continent.
Now, then, when the republicans
met at Toledo they had q chance to
outdo the democrats for the Cleveland
platform was before them, and seven
q days old. When you read their weak
and feeble resolution, however, you
rub your eyes and ask what has be-
come of the grand old party. In
9 years past it had patriotism enough,
! but where is it now? 1t used to talk
8 about the rights of the people, the
8 liberties OF the people, the this and
+ that and the other thing of the people,
h but now their great principles and
!, policies have disappeared, and there
e seems to be nothing left except-a
h POLITICAL machine, which grinds out
J. sectional hatred and palsies by the
,. cart load.
+ 1t is almost incredible that republi-
}. cans should propose to substitute ma
n chinery, manipulation of State COM
n mittees and such patronage as they
+ can get hold Otto substitute these
o things for issues and reforms and
Il the broad politics by which sixty
n million Of people are to be governed
Is And yet, hidden away in the Ohio
!. platform where few can see it, we find
Il these words:
l. If too much revenue be collected tC
r meet these and other public needs
Is &c.
e If? That is an odd word for intelli
le gent politicians, much less statesmen
ID to use. Does not the republican par
le ty know that there is a surplus?
9r Put the two parties side by side =
te The democrats of Kentucky de
1t nounced the war tariff, the corruptiny
c. surplus
G, AS masterpiece of injustice, in
n. equality and false pretense
IL We demand the immediate reduction
D. OF this war tariff. and il
making such reduction we demant
that the taxes shall first be abolishe,
j. or lowered on the necessaries of life.
- The REPUBLICANS, per contra, NEE
- ~ at Toledo and remark casually
" IF."
The democrats will go before tn
n country on live issue.
m The republicans will go before th
IL country with an "if" and "the ms
OF chine"
All right, The people want no "ifs
Ist and they are tired OF "the machine"
es They want issues, and they war
at reform. If the democratic party hi
cd these articles on hand, then the den